Summary of Summer

Summer has come to an end ... looking back on the past six weeks, if I had to sum up summer, I think I would have to say July was for Jumping! Going to Jump 'N Bounce with friends was probably what Summer2011 will be remembered for. We went a LOT. We also discovered Fun 'N Motion and made a few trips there. We went to Classic for the first, but hopefully not last time. We did a few trips to the pool (Grandma's house, and once to KOPFC), bowling, the park ... but there was a lot we didn't do. No camping, no hikes, no Park City ... and no Lagoon, again :( The boys had their scout camps, and Landon and Callahan both got to go to Lagoon with school ... it was a good and busy summer.Aand of course PARACORD PASSION hit, can't forget about that! It was also the summer of jump ropes and hula hoops ...but not as much biking, as we had two bikes stolen from the bike rack in front of the house :(

Saturday Sports ... Endings and Beginnings

It's been a while since I did a "Saturday Sports" post, which isn't to say we haven't been playing sports every Saturday, because we have (three or four games each week)! Game summaries and videos are on the HoopDreams blog. Here's a little catch-up and small peek forward ...

Summer basketball finished up ... both boys were playing UP an age division this season, which made for some tougher games. Callahan's team only won twice, but they had some great games and it was nice to see them be challenged. Keaton's team only lost twice (but those were blowouts). Keaton ended up playing on a second team, in his actual age group too (4th grade), so he often had two games (Callahan was jealous!). Both boys are signed up to play again in the fall of course, but we'll have a couple weeks off.

Fall soccer has started up. I had signed up both Cooper and Colton, in two different leagues (hoping to stagger the games somewhat, which was successful). Unfortunately, Cooper has decided he no longer likes soccer, so I'm not sure if he'll be finishing up his season. His anxiety is in overdrive (both about the weather, and breaking his arm again) and he just looks miserable, even though he scored a goal in the game (and that was playing only 10 minutes)! Colton loves soccer ... I'm coaching him again, and we have two of his school buddies on the team too. They've played two games so far, and won easily both times. As this season ends (it's a short one, only four weeks) Colton is also going to play on a team with his cousin Addie, with Uncle Clay as coach (maybe then I'll be able to get some video).

Stuck in the Shower

I think it's a bit ironic, that in the middle of Cooper's extreme weather worries (he hates the rain) ... he has decided he likes showers instead of baths. Colton has followed suit, so both my little ones are now taking showers. I'm not sure if it's easier than just sticking them in the bath together, but ... ok. They usually take their showers in the upstairs bathroom. They have both learned to turn the water on and off, so I don't have to help out too much. The bathroom is right off the kitchen however, so if we have company over, the kids don't feel there is enough privacy (as they usually dash out of the bathroom in just a towel). So one day, when there was someone over chatting with Daddy in the kitchen, Cooper tried taking a shower downstairs, followed by Colton afterward. I had to head out for some errands, so I told the older brothers to check on the little ones, making sure they didn't stay in too long wasting water. When I got back over an hour later ... Colton was crying and the bathroom was flooded. Apparently, being a different fixture than upstairs, Colton didn't know how to turn the water off. So he just stayed in. Every few minutes he'd let out a little yell, but it was a while before anyone investigated. Poor kid, he was quite overheated, the bathroom was all steamed up and there was water all over the floor. We asked him why he simply didn't just get out and come find someone ... I guess he didn't think of that!

Bouncing Buddies

Not five minutes from our house, is a warehouse of inflatable fun. It's called Jump 'N Bounce. Last Spring, we bought a Groupon ($25 for a family month pass) and used it while the boys were off track ... Unfortunately, when Cooper broke his arm (playing soccer, not bouncing ... although Landon DID break his arm at this very location several years ago), it did impact our getting in very often (we still made it a few times). We found that bouncing is MUCH more fun with friends, so when Groupon offered the coupon dealio again, I talked a couple other families into buying a family pass as well. So summer was FULL of bouncing with buddies!

The Blackham Boys and the Gunderson Gang

(and Travis)

Callahan's best basketball buddy has two little brothers, not exactly the same ages and Cooper and Colton, but pretty dang close. This summer was actually the first time the little ones played together, but Colton was thrilled. He said "I made a new friend and he's just my size" ...

The Blackham Boys and the DiFrancesco Family

I'm trying to remember how many times we went jumping with these guys ... at least five times I think, and the kids still didn't get tired of each other (and I enjoyed chatting with their mom each time). We had multiple playdates after our bouncing sessions as well. I think the DiFrancesco's sweat as much as the Blackham boys!

The Blackham Boys and R&R

In the Spring, I had mentioned taking R&R with us ... then Cooper broke his arm. I didn't figure Ridley would want to go bouncing if Cooper couldn't. Now that the arm was better, I followed up on my promise and we had another day of bouncing with buddies (this day was CROWDED) ...

It was a Jumping July... we certainly made the most of our month pass!

A Day at the "Beach"

Cousins Addie and Will were going to the beach and they invited the Blackham boys to come along ... did YOU know there was a BEACH in Herriman? I knew there was a beach at Daybreak ... Cooper and I had visited the docks there last year, but didn't know there was a similar man made "beach" just a little further SouthWest. It really wasn't far and it was a fun and inexpensive day out for the boys (well, three of them anyway, Landon and Keaton decided to stay home).

The reservoir wasn't very big, but there was enough sandy beach for everyone, and there were several canoes and kayaks out in the deeper water. I forgot my camera, but Callahan had his Ipod Touch so I got a few photos ... we should have gotten one with all the cousins together!

Sandman Cooper

Callahan's Castle

So a few people have asked for an address ...

here are the directions I was given ...

Head West on 13400 south

Turn left on Monarch Meadows Pkwy

(the McDonalds is at that intersection)

Monarch Meadows turns into 4800 South

Turn right onto Juniper Crest Rd.

Turn right onto Emmeline Dr.

Take the 1st left which is Ashland Ridge Dr.

The reservoir is at the top of Ashland Ridge Dr.

There wasn't really any shade, so you would want to bring your own. There was an individual there asking where you lived, but it seems for now the beach is open to all (unlike Daybreak, who is trying to limit theirs to residents only.)

After spending a couple hours at the beach, we grabbed some lunch and stopped at a park to eat. It had a splash pad, so the boys got in a little more water fun ... sans sand.

Book of Mormon Chant

Many years ago, the kids in my parent's ward presented a unique version of Book of Mormon Stories during the annual primary program. My mom was so impressed she asked the music leader about it, and received this copy of "Book of Mormon Stories" ... it's just the regular version, with a descant added. The "new" portion is simply a listing of the books in the Book of Mormon. My mom passed the music on to me, and soon I was in a position to introduce it to our primary. It was an instant hit. It's been several years since I was chorister, but as I'm back in primary now (behind the piano) the song is often requested when the kids are asked for a favorite song. And you can't just sing "Book of Mormon Stories" ... you have to do the chant (split the room, one half doing the melody, the other half doing the chant, then switch).

Our kids have enjoyed it so much, as I was going through my things and found the sheet music, I thought I'd scan and share it for any others out there who might want to introduce it to their primary. I'm not sure who to credit with coming up with the chant, I don't mean to violate any copyright, if there's anyone who has more information on where this song is currently available for purchase I'd be happy to update the info here.

And just a note, while the music above shows a counter melody (it really is just a basic chant) ... I DID try to teach it but that really didn't work out. The kids sing the new words to the regular Book of Mormon melody, not the notes written in the music above, but it still sounds great.

Weather Worries

Back in June, I did a blog post about Cooper's fascination with tornadoes... I should have known ... the fascination turned to fear, and it's been pretty extreme. For almost the entire month of July, Cooper has been afraid of wind, rain, even clouds ... and unfortunately, there have been a lot of all three!

I remember there was rain and wind on the 4th of July, but it wasn't an issue for him that day or any of the days before (there had been a LOT of rain in the spring). By the following Saturday (July9th) however, it WAS an issue, and had been all week long. We had to keep all the windows and blinds closed so Cooper couldn't see the leaves stirring in the breeze or the dark clouds in the sky. But with the transom windows throughout the house, he could still catch glimpses, so soon he was almost completely confined to his bedroom or the basement (with no such windows, blinds drawn tight). Actual storms (of which there seems to have been MANY) would cause him to shriek in terror ... I think he actually was using his own voice to drown out the noise of the rain. Hysterical ... some times that is the word that describes him. There is no reasoning with him, no logic ... I've tried distracting him with some success (tv, gameboy in hand, headphones with music blaring).

Every morning Cooper checks the forecast for West Jordan... and Salt Lake, Layton, St. George, Moab ... oops, there was a weather app on the Ipod touch. Weather questions and comments make up the majority of the conversation every single day, it's rather exhausting! My little boy who used to spend his days playing basketball, soccer, jumprope and hula hoop doesn't dare venture outside the house (often not even out of his room). On sunny days he'll seem ok, but I see him making furtive glances at the windows and sky. If a cloud covers the sun, you can see an instant change in his countenance.

Cooper has always been a bit fearful (ok, there has been a LOT to deal with). In previous posts I've mentioned his fear of water (baths and swimming), which he has overcome (yea, he's a little fishy!) I did a post about his fear of Tom Bergeron ... the host of America's Funniest Home Videos, even I have to admit that is a strange one. Cooper has always preferred the comfort of home, safe with Mom, rarely going to friend's homes and always the first to say "let's go home" when we do go out. Church (nursery & the start of primary) was a huge ordeal. He cried all through kindergarten orientation, but happily he did fine once school started. Now with soccer starting up again, he's SO afraid he'll break his arm again (we are all a little worried about that) but he LOVED soccer so, I don't want him to give it up... of course, soccer also requires you to be outside ...

Monday, August 1 ... there was a bit of a change. I'm not sure what caused it, but I'll take it! Cooper came and told me he LIKED the rain ... and he even went outside and "danced" in the rain a bit (and there was plenty of rain all throughout the day Monday to keep on testing him). Cooper even asked me "Are you the only one in our family who doesn't like the rain?" ????? ME? The only problem I have had with the rain of late is that it was tormenting my little boy!

The change hasn't been continued or complete. Again with rain today (enough with the summer storms already!) Cooper has been concerned and in tears. He says he's ok with rain ... but he doesn't like the sound as it hits the windows. He's still worried about wind, terrified of tornadoes and leery of lightening. He asked about earthquakes (let's NOT go there) ...

... he does LOVE rainbows though ...

I hope there's a rainbow for us at the end of this storm.

Summer Camps

Scout Camp Keaton

Summer ... time for scout camps and youth conference. Landon's scout group had already completed their camp (check out "Back to Bear Lake" in the June posts), but as the younger boys were still in school through June, Keaton and Callahan's camps were scheduled for July.

• Keaton was up first, July 11-12, just going up for the day... coming home SO dirty each afternoon.
• Callahan was up next, Camp Steiner July 25-30. Grayson went up with him for the first couple days ... and ended up bringing Callahan back with him when he came home on Wednesday. They suspected altitude sickness - Callahan just wasn't doing well physically, and the two night were especially bad (he had one of his sleepwalking episodes too). Gray just thought it would be better to bring him home then to saddle the leaders with a sick kid for the remaining days. Back at home, he recovered pretty quickly.
• Landon left for youth conference Wednesday morning (July 27-30). Grayson was only home from the scout camp for an hour or so, just enough time to shower, unpack and repack. He turned around and joined the group at Pineview. There was a lot of boating, swimming and fun.

I'd write a little more ... but I don't know THAT much about what went on. The kids aren't really that talkative about their experiences. I asked the boys to write about their camps in their journals. Callahan's entry (July27) was pretty good, but Landon's (July31) ... it's very "Landon". As Keaton's journal isn't here on the blog digitally, I scanned it in and included it below *Ü*

Classic Water Fun

You can see the bright blue waterslides from the freeway ... Classic Fun Center ... the kids had gone with friends a time or two, but I had never been there. When Groupon offered a waterslide fun pack for four, I decided to give it a try. Landon was gone to youth conference, so it was just the four boys. At first I wasn't sure it was going to take, they seemed a bit bored ... but then they took off! Up and down the four tube slides, sometimes with a mat, sometimes without. The bigger boys took the little ones the first time, then Colton and Cooper tried it on their own and did just fine. The big inflatable slides were fun too, and Colton and Cooper liked the kiddie pool as well. We did have a couple issues, Cooper was anxious about some dark clouds looming, and Colton took a tumble getting off one of the inflatables and got quite a bump on the head, but overall, the kids had a blast and are anxious to go again!

We just did the swimming today ... I tried to glance around at all the other things Classic has to offer (skating, bouncing, arcade, climbing, ball blasting and laser tag) and I hope we make it back. Callahan and Keaton were big helps to me keeping an eye on the little guys. Here's a muvee capturing the day's fun ...